March is ‘Women’s History Month’ – spread the word!

Did you know that March is ‘Women’s History Month’?  I kind of vaguely knew this, but, as a woman, I should know this and celebrate it, right?  Well, I was fortunate enough that the folks over at Ray Price Honda out of East Stroudsburg, PA reminded me.  They had also reached out to me during Black History Month to honor famous African Americans but I simply couldn’t get my act together to share with my readers.  I apologize for that; while others were out spreading the word, I was spreading myself too thin.

That being said, here is a great poster they asked me to share of just a few famous women that have contributed to the world with their humor, wisdom or tenacity.  My favorite quote is from Barbara Corcoran of ‘Shark Tank’ fame.  She claims, “The difference between successful people and others is how long they spend time feeling sorry for themselves.”  I love this quote!  My daughter often tells me I don’t deal with loss or disappointment and to a degree, that is true.  I spend a few minutes reflecting on a difficult time and I move right on, without skipping a beat.  I am not giving out any therapy advice here but that is how I keep going and it works for me.  I like Barbara Corcoran’s style and all the women featured here and the thousands more who impact others lives positively.

Some great quotes right here....what is your favorite?

Some great quotes right here….what is your favorite?

And I have to give a shout out to Ray Price Honda and their team that supports PR programs that share insight while still out there hustling to sell cars!  It cannot be an easy day at the office, although it looks like they have some nice vehicles in stock.  If they were closer, I would stop by…..they may just give me a loaner vehicle to drive around for a week or so and blog about!  That would be cool, too!  Please take a moment to stop and reflect on a woman who has changed your life for the better!  I would love to hear some comments of who you came up with!

Happy holidays and thank you all…

Hi Everyone!  Merry Christmas!  Happy New Year!  The holidays are here (whether we are ready or not)!  Game on!  I want to thank all my loyal readers and partners for another fantastic year of blogging fun.  It is an absolute joy to write this blog and to get to know such wonderful people through this venue.  May you have peace, joy and many blessings during this festive season and throughout the new year!

Indeed!

Indeed!

 

Apple picking etiquette

I love apple picking. I don’t know why, because I don’t really like camping or hiking or anything else like that.  I do love nature and visiting a farm is pretty cool, I think. And I

Apple tree

want my children to know that there is a place where food is grown; it doesn’t just miraculously appear at the grocery store all neatly packaged and ready for consumption.

The whole idea of apple picking is to commune with nature, right?  We live in New England so apples are the fruit. This year, like most years, I visited C.N. Smith Farm in East Bridgewater, MA with my children. Each year the crowds seem to grow. The lines were long: a line to buy a bag to pick apples, a line to buy a ticket for the hay ride and a line to wait for a pony ride and so on. But who minds the wait?

The sun is shining, the air is crisp, the colors of the foliage are wonderful, and yet people are grumbling. Sure, the apple bag prices have gone up a bit but you are not really paying for the apples. You are paying for the experience. I heard people say, “They are really gouging the customer this year.”  And I was thinking, ‘I wonder what the operating expenses are on a farm of this size? It must cost a fortune to run and maintain.’

Truthfully, I don’t know if apple orchards make a bunch of money or not, but they are a part of the New England landscape. None of us would want to see the orchards disappear because they couldn’t afford to stay in business. Right?

The other thing I noticed about the experience this year was that people were intentionally breaking the few and simple rules of the farm.  They ask that you don’t climb the trees to prevent damage, yet I saw several people dangling from the trees like grotesque human ornaments. Most people were shaking their heads, as if to say, “What are you doing up there?”

The management also asks that you only fill the designated bag or bags and not ones that you carry in. Yet, I did see some patrons with pockets, purses and stroller undercarriages loaded with apple cargo. Seriously? How hungry are you for more apples? Would you do this at the grocery store? No, because it is known as stealing. Somehow at the farm some people think it is a free for all! I don’t like to act like the unofficial apple orchard police, but some people need an etiquette lesson.

I once had someone who was visiting my home and who I hardly knew, sit on the arm of my sofa.  I couldn’t believe it. It was an adult, mind you, and I thought it was so rude. I don’t know why these things bother me so much?  But why sit on an arm of a chair when there are seat cushions to sit on? It is called the armrest for a reason. It is not meant to hold the weight of a person. Nor is a tree in an apple orchard.

Anyway, I think the fundamental rule of apple picking is to teach our children how to respect nature and to show them the beauty of growing food. And then to go home and enjoy those apples in pies, cobblers or in the lunch box the next day. Fresh. Juicy. Healthy. A great memory of a fun day.

Somehow I feel better after venting. Now, I will officially, let it go. Happy Fall everyone!

Yes, I baked a pie with the apples we picked! Solid proof my oven was used in the past year!

Yes, I baked a pie with the apples we picked! Solid proof my oven was used in the past year!